This unit will require every student to write about themselves through the lens of literary analysis. This unit was developed because it is very difficult to answer questions like: How can I prove X is a round character? How can I prove Y is the main character? How do I know if someone is a foil character?
Unit Task:
Every student is expected to use narrative terminology to examine their own life story. Every student will isolate the last twelve months as a "chapter" in the story of their life. Using the last year as source material they are then asked to explain their answers in six Schaffer essays.
Using the graphic organizer for the first two times through the process, we will use evidence from our own life as proof. We will do this six times through to guarantee that the formulaic pattern will become repeatable and easy. For those students who have an emerging writing style, weaving and experiment to find their own style will be permitted.
IYC#1: In the story of your life are you a static or a dynamic character?
To prove you are a static character, provide three examples of how you are the same as you were a year ago.
To prove you are a dynamic character, provide three examples of how you have changed compared to a year ago.
IYC#2: In the story of your life are you a flat or a round character?
To prove you are a flat character, provide three examples of how completely normal and unremarkable you are.
To prove you are a round character provide three examples of characteristics you possess that stand out, or experiences you've had that stand out.
IYC#3: In the story of your life are you a main character or a side character? If you are the main character are you a protagonist or an antagonist?
To prove you are a main character, since main characters go through conflict in stories, provide three examples of the conflict in your life.
Remember that protagonists are main characters that the audience wants to see overcome their conflicts.
Remember that antagonists are main characters that create conflicts and roadblocks for the protagonists.
To prove you are a side character, identify the main character in your story and provide three examples of you supporting their story.
Presentation: Types of Conflict
IYC#4: In the story of your life, who are your foil characters and what do they reveal?
To explain your foil characters, identify the names of three people who bring out ordinarily hidden traits, and give one example each.
Alternatively, identify the name of one person who brings out ordinarily hidden traits, and give three examples of three different traits they bring out.
IYC#5: In the story of your life, who are your voices of reason?
To explain your voices of reason, identify the names of three people who offer good advice, and give one example of advice they have given for each person.
Alternatively, identify the name of one person who offers good advice, and give three different pieces of advice they have given.
IYC#6: In the story of your life, what archetype are you or see yourself becoming?
To explain your archetypes, identify the three archetypes that you see as part of you, and provide one example of how each archetype describes you.
Alternatively, identify one archetype that you see as part of you, and provide three examples of how that archetype describes you.
Reference: Archetypes for Shopping Day
Strategies:
1: Dynamic characters change, static characters stay the same.
2: Round characters have a great deal of back story, detail, emotion, wants, needs, and complexity. Flat characters have very little known about them.
3: Main characters experience conflict. Side characters support other people as they go through conflict.
4: The best foil characters are your enemies, and the friends you have that are different from you.
5: Your voices of reason are often your family members, but can also be teachers, coaches, and anybody who offers advice.
6: Many people look at the world and their future and see an overwhelming infinity of possibility and unknown. Stories teach us that there aren't an overwhelming amount of story patterns for people. You can find yourself and your identity by looking at the lives of those around us both real and fictional.